This symbol
indicates availability of pronunciation where
applicable.
The number next to the name indicates where the name can be found in the Guru
Granth Sahib. Name is also written in Gurmukhi where applicable.

Choose from either a Gurmukhi or English letter to start
your name search...

Need a Sikh baby name?

Choose a letter

At home, you can open the Guru Granth Sahib to a random
page and the first letter of the first word on the top of the left page
is the letter designated for the child's first name. If the word is
broken or is a continuation of the previous page then turn back the page
and pick the letter on the top of the previous left page. (Phew!).
Akhand Path precedes the Hukam Nama (you knew that!).

Choose a name

Pick a Gurmukhi or an English
alphabet to start searching for the name that would
be just right for your baby.

English

Gurmukhi

Name Elements

Titles

Prefix & Suffix

Most elements can occur as a suffix or prefix but some are more likely
to be one than the other. For instance, -pal, -want and -jit/-jeet, -preet,
-inder, -deep etc. are far more common as suffixes
(*hint: you don't always need a common prefix or a suffix :-)

Last Names

Sikh girls are given the last name Kaur (meaning prince) and Sikh boys
are given the last name Singh.

Note: ome families and
individuals choose to use a "family" or a "sur" name that is different
from the aforementioned and it that case, they adopt Kaur or Singh as
middle names.

First Names

Most Sikh first names are gender-neutral. For example,
Harpreet could be a male or female's first name. What identifies Harpreet
Kaur as a female is the word Kaur following the first name.

Sikh Names, their Meanings and Significance

Most but not all names are derived from the Guru Granth
Sahib and in most cases describe God's attributes and not ours. (ie.
immortal, infinite beauty, most intelligent, unfathomable, unapproachable,
victorious, pure, ageless etc.)

In 1699, Sikh Women were given the last name 'Kaur' and and
Men 'Singh' by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru. This
initiate intended to end the caste system, social stratification and much of
the apparatus of Hindu ritual and legalism. In Indian society, an
individual's name reveals his or her caste, and Sikhs were freed from the
caste system by having all men incorporate Singh in their names and all
women, Kaur. (Reference).

Meaning may change depending on the context of use.
Some names listed here may not be directly or pure derivatives from
Gurbani, but rather a combination of words derived from Gurbani. The
meaning is supposed unless referenced to the Gurbani. If no reference
is indicted, then our best guestimate is listed as the meaning. As
you guessed by now, there may be several possible meanings of each name.
Pronunciation can change the meaning.